Improvement in book-clasps



N. HABLAN.

Blink-Clasp.

Patented j une 22,1875.

JMJ@

THE GRAPHIC C0. PHOTO -LITPLSQ 8; 41 PARK PLACE, N.Y.

UNITED T NEWTON HARLAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT INA BOOK-CLASPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164L646, dated J une 2:2, 1875 application filed November 28, 1874. j

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NEWTON HABLAN, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have inven'ted certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Olasps; aud'I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists in providing` a lockclasp for books, having .an extensible screwstem fitting into a screw-threaded receivingsleeve, whereby the said fastening-stein is inolosed and braced, and made adjustable within said receiving-sleeve to suit books of different thicknesses. It also consists in pivoting said receiving-sleeve so that it, with the locking-stem, is rendered capable of being turnedV down to either side upon the projecting rim of the cover.

Itis frequently important and necessary that public as well as private records should be so secured that they are not accessible, and subject to inspection by all parties who may desire to make use ofthe information they contain. This object has heretofore usually been accomplished by securing them in cases provided with locked doors, or by keeping them under the eye of persons appointed for the purpose. These means are often inconvenient and expensive, while by my improved method any book may be easily and securely closed, so that its contents will only be accessible to those having a key. Its adaptability to any book, portfolio, or album, and the ease with'which it may be attached, render it superior to any lock-clasp heretofore used.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I .will proceed to describe its construction and operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front view, showing a book fastened with my clasp. Fig. 2 is a sectional front View, showing an ordinary clasp. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cover of a book, showing the lock. Fig. 4 is a transverse crosssection, showing the extensible arm and lock.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts.

D represents the screw-stem fastener; A, the pivoted screw-threaded sleeve holding same; (l, pivot or hinge; B, lock, and Z d covers of the book. The stem or fastener D is provided with a screw-thread, and iits into an internally-threaded socket, A, which arrangement enables it to be extended to fit a thick book or contracted to suit a thin one. The receiving-sleeve A is pivoted to the cover of the book, so that it moves laterally from side to side, and is made capable of being turned .down along the rim of the cover, thereby rendering it less liable to be broken.

The lock l5 may be an ordinary spring-lock capable of being operated with a key, and is attached to the cover.

Then it is desired to close and lock the book, the extensible arm, composed of the screw-stem and receiving-sleeve, is opened out to a position at right angles with the inner rim of the cover, so that in closing the book the end of the stem D enters and is securely held by the lock B, as shown in Figs. l and 4.

The lock need not necessarily, however, be attached to the cover, but may be placed on the under side of an ordinary clasp. (Shown in Fig. 2.)

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a book-locking clasp, the combination of the extensible stem D with its screwthreaded receivingsleeve A, whereby the fastening-stein is inclosed, braced, and made adjustable within said receiving-sleeve to suit books ot' different thicknesses., constructed and arranged substantially as described, for the purpose specified. y

2. In a book-locking clasp, the hasp A. pivoted to its attaching-plate, whereby it may be folded down parallel with the bookcover, so as not to obstruct the manipulation of the leaves, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a book-locking clasp, of the extensible stem D and pivoted receiving-sleeve A with the lock B, all constructed and arranged substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NEWTON HABLAN.

Witnesses:

I-I. G. POTTER, J. W. HAMILTON JOHNSON. 

